Tricycle



(No Model.) W. L BRYDEN; 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

TRIGYGLE.

No. 439,882. I Patented Oct. 28, 1890.

WITNESSES: TOR: 7% W w 5 Z BY .MW

ATTORNEY.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. L. BRYDEN.

TRIGYGLE. No. 439,382. Patent-ed Oct. 28, 1890.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR W ZZ. m A Q. 250W ATTORNEY.

.8 shows two views of the shaft upon which is UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM L. BRYDEN, OF OOSHOCTON, OHIO.

TRICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,382, dated October 28, 1890.

Application filed August 21, 1890.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM L. BRYDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at C0- shocton,in the county of Coshocton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tricycles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of tricycles which are propelled by hand-levers.

One object of the invention is to provide means whereby the speed-gearing of the tricycle may be easily changed.

In the accompanying drawings,which illus trate the invention, Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of the tricycle. Fig. 2 is a top view with the seat removed. Figs. 3 and 4 show two views of the change-gear, whereby the speed may be increased or lessened. Fig. 5 shows two views of the movable clutch. Fig. 6 shows .two views of the foot-rest and guide-bar. Fig. 7 shows two views of the lever which operates the movable clutch. Fig.

mounted the movable clutch, cranks, and sprocket-wheels. Fig. 0 is a detail of a catch device on the foot-rest.

The letter A designates the frame of the machine; B, the seat mounted thereon; O, the two propelling-wheels, one on either side and near the back end of the frame; D, the steering-wheel, of the caster pattern, which has its journal in the frame and at the front end thereof; F, the hand-levers by which motion is imparted to the propelling-wheels.

The large propelling-wheels G are rigidly mounted on the ends of a revoluble axle b, which has its hearings in the side bars a a of the rear portion of the frame. Mounted rigidly on the axle I) and between the two side bars a a of the frame are two sprocketwheels G II, one of which is larger than the other. These wheels impart motion to the said axle. A driving-shaft e in front of the axle is also mounted and has its journals in the side bars a a of the frame. The ends of this driving-shaft e extend beyond the sides of the frame, and on each end is mounted a crank f. Loosely mounted on this drivingshaft 6 and between the side bars a a of the frame are two sprocket-wheels G H, both of Serial No. 362,574. (No model.)

the same size. Chains i connect together the sprocket-wheel G on the driving-shaft and the large sprocket-wheel G on the axle, and also the sprocket-wheel II on the driving-shaft and the small sprocket-wheel II on the axle. On the inner sides of these sprocket-wheels G H are two projecting teeth g 71. The center portion 6 of the driving-shaft e,whieh is between the said two sprocket-wheels, is rectangular in cross-section. (See Fig. 8.) A sliding clutch or collar I, movable on the shaft 6, has at either end two notches 9 7L, which engage the projecting teeth 9 h of the sprocketwheels G H. lxtending around the sliding collar and between its ends is an annular groove j. It will now be seen that when the clutch I is moved along the shaft 6 and made to engage the teeth of one of the sprocketwheels G H motion may be transmitted from the driving-shaft e to the axle b and propelling-wheels O by means of the chain '2 and one of the sprocket-wheels G II of the axle, depending upon which of the sprocket-wheels G II of the driving-shaft is engaged by the sliding clutch I.

A cross-bar It connects the two side bars a a of the frame between the propelling-axle Z) and driving-shaft e. In the center of this cross-bar is pivoted one end of a shifting-lever K, which has a curved portion Z to enter the annular groove j of the sliding clutch I. The free end of the shifting-lever K, just referred to, projects forward in the center of the frame to a point in easy reach of the rider. Two holes on are in the cross-bar k and in front of the pivoting-point of the lever K, but on either side of a longitudinal center line of the machine. These holes receive the bolt portion 72' of a spring-lock device mounted on the shifting-lever K. This device consists of a pivoted lever n, having a bolt portion at at its rear end, and a spring 0, whose function is to keep the bolt n in one of the holes m. This bolt-lever 17. extends also forward to the free end of the lever K, where it is in easy reach of the rider. It will now be seen that when the sliding clutch I engages with either one of the sprocket-wheels G II it will be retained in such engagement by the lock-bolt n, previously referred to.

Above the drivingshaft and extending crosswise of the frame and mounted thereon is a seat B, supported by springs 19. Two hand-levers F are pivoted to the projecting ends of a rigid bar c, which extends crosswise of the frame A in front of the seat B. These levers are in easy reach of the rider, and rods q connect these levers with cranks fon the ends of the driving-shaft 6. When these hand-levers are moved backward and forward the shaft 6 will be revolved.

Mounted on the axle Z2 is a brake-drum 4, around which passes a strap or belt 1*, connected with a lever s, which is pivoted to one side a of the frame A. This constitutes the brake for retarding the motion of the machine.

The two side bars a a of the frame, near the front end, have an inward bond and join together at the point which forms the vertical bearing 15 of the journal D of the steering-wheel. A cross-bar u is fixed to the upper end of the journal and is connected by rods to with the steering-bar P, which is pivoted at the center of the frame A to a crossbar 1), previously referred to. The ends of the steering-bar P are bentup and form footrests a for steering.

Attached to the side a. of the frame is a plate R, provided with holes w, which are arranged iii an arc of a circlehaving the pivot of the steering-bar P- for a center. These holes are to receive the bolt to of a lever 00, pivoted to the steering-bar. Aspring 03' keeps the bolt normally disengaged from the holes w; but by a down pressure of the foot on the said lever 00 the bolt to will engage one of the holes w.

to provide means for holding the steeringwheel at any desired position.

Having described my invention, I claim-- 1. In a tricycle. the combination of a frame, a revoluble axle b, with bearings in the frame The object of this construction is and having propelling-wheels rigidlymounted thereon, two sprocket-wheels, one of which is larger than the other, both rigidly mounted on the said axle, a driving-shaft 6, also with bearings in the frame, two sprocket-wheels loosely mounted on the said driving-shaft, a sliding clutch I, also mounted on the shaft e between the two loose sprocket-wheels, said clutch when in one position to engage the sprocket-wheel at one side and when in another position to engage the sprocket-wheel at the other side, a lever K, having a lateral motion to shift the sliding clutch from one sprocket-wheel to the other, a second lever n, pivoted to said shifting-lever K and having a bolt n to enter holes m in the frame, so that when the sliding clutch is in engagement with either of said sprocket-wheels it will be retained in such engagement, chains to connect the sprocket-wheels of the driving-shaft with those of the axle, and means, substantially as described, to impart motion to the said driving-shaft.

2. In a tricycle, the combination of the frame, the propelling-wheels, hand-levers to impart motion to said wheels, a steering-wheel D,havingits journalin the front of the frame, a foot steering-bar P, connected with said steering-wheel D, a lever 50, pivoted to said steering-bar P, having at one end a bolt w, which, when the said lever is depressed, enters holes 20 ina stationary part of the frame, the object of said device being to hold the steering-wheel in any desired position, as set forth.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WVILLIAM L. BRYDEN.

Vit n esses:

FRANO RoBINsoN, GEORGE BRYDEN. 

